January 31, 2006 (New York, NY): After nearly a five-year hiatus, Village Voice sex columnist and AVN award-winning director Tristan Taormino returns to the world of adult video at the helm of her new production company, Smart Ass Productions.

In 1999, Tristan made a splash when she directed, produced and starred inThe Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women for Evil Angel. Co-directed by Ernest Greene and John Stagliano and shot by Stagliano himself, the video received five stars from AVN, two AVN Awards (including Best Anal Release), and an XRCO Award. She followed it up with The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women 2 in 2001, and that title was nominated for Erotic Film of the Year at the Erotic Awards in the UK. In the past several years, she has concentrated on building her sex education empire, which includes penning columns for The Village Voice and Hustler’s Taboo Magazine, authoring popular sex books, lecturing at top colleges and universities, and teaching sexuality workshops all over the world. She’s thrilled to be returning to porn. “I have always had one foot in the adult industry since I write about it often,” says Tristan. “I have watched as more women have stepped behind the camera, and I have been newly inspired to do the same.”

While women and couples have finally been acknowledged as a viable segment of porn consumers, the majority of videos marketed to them are plot-driven features. Through her workshops and other public appearances, Tristan has the opportunity to talk to hundreds of different people. “Plenty of men and women tell me that they love all-sex and gonzo videos, but could do without some of the elements of the most popular titles in those genres. Plus, they’re tired of seeing videos where the women either don’t come or their orgasms are clearly fake.” That’s where Smart Ass Productions comes in. No outrageous stunts. No degradation. Instead, the focus of Tristan’s videos is fresh and accessible performers, hot, spontaneous sex, real chemistry and real orgasms for everyone. “I want the best and brightest performers to come together in a sexually-charged, intense environment where they can let their guard down and show a different side of themselves. Also, one of the complaints I hear most often from women is that the guys aren’t attractive, so I am on a mission to have hot guys in all my videos!”

The first Smart Ass production she directed is Tristan Taormino’s House of Assfor Adam & Eve Pictures. Shot near Mountain Center, California (three hours outside Los Angeles), this reality-TV inspired video stars Joanna Angel, Justine Joli, Sarah Blake, Keeani Lei, Mr. Marcus, Talon, and Scott Nails. Joanna does her first interracial scene in the video. “She did a scene with Scott the first day which was really great,” says Tristan. “The next day, she told me that she liked Mr. Marcus and felt there was chemistry between them. Their scene was totally spontaneous and really hot.”

Tristan plans to direct several titles in 2006. Although she joined forces with Adam & Eve for Tristan Taormino’s House of Ass, she does not have an exclusive deal with the company. “The experience I had with John Stagliano and everyone at Evil Angel was incredible. I really enjoyed working with Adam & Eve on House of Ass. I would love the chance to work with both of them again,” says Tristan. “Plus, there are several other companies I’ve followed throughout the years that I think are creating really great stuff. So, I am keeping my options open.”

Tristan Taormino’s House of Ass hits the streets February 24. The video’s debut coincides with the release of the second edition of The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women from Cleis Press.